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Comings & Goings
Promotion for Braeu; Rev. Berger leaving D.C.
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to J. James Braeu who has been named by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as the new branch vice president of the company’s Arlington office, where he will lead 35 independent sales associates. Braeu has more than 11 years of experience in real estate. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Mid-Atlantic is a leading residential real estate company with 31 sales and resort rental locations and more than 2,250 sales associates serving the communities of Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and the Maryland and Delaware beaches.
J. James Braeu (Photo courtesy of Braeu)
Braeu began his affiliation with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in its Dupont/Logan office in 2005. His knowledge of the area stems from having been a resident for 28 years. He specialized in home and condominium sales, and has been recognized as a top sales agent throughout his tenure there. Upon learning of his new appointment, Braeu said, “I’m truly excited and looking forward to my role as branch vice president for such an incredibly dynamic and talented group of agents. My experience in recruiting, business planning and providing professional development will be very helpful in supporting the Arlington office.”
Before entering the real estate field in D.C., James had a background in sales and management with a 12-year career in full-service catering sales and event planning in the metro area. He grew up in a construction development and real estate family in northern California, establishing his passion for real estate at an early age. Braeu graduated from California State University, Chico in 1988 with degrees in International Relations, European Studies, German and French.
Congratulations are also due to well-known interfaith minister and LGBT activist Rev. Bonnie J. Berger who has announced she is leaving the area after living here since 1984. She and her partner of 10 years will be making Chapel Hill, N.C. their new home.
Upon making the announcement, Berger said, “Yes, I still find it hard to believe that we are moving to the land of HB2 and no LGBT discrimination protections. We are moving there with eyes and hearts wide open. Spirit calls us on many different journeys. North Carolina could definitely use more love and light to counteract the political foolishness that is taking place there. We are prepared to be those beacons.” Berger’s partner is also an interfaith minister.
Berger added, “I had thought that in these later years I might slow down a bit. But clearly spirit has other ideas in mind. More than ever we need to be celebrating love. I see my move there as a wonderful way to continue to lift the love of our community.” She plans to work for the repeal of HB2 and for the defeat of the N.C. governor in addition to continuing to marry both gay and straight couples.
Bonnie officiated the first gay wedding on the courthouse plaza in D.C. the day it became legal. Since then, she has taken part in more than 700 ceremonies.
A Takoma Park resident, Berger spent many years working for LGBT equality. She was one of the founders of the Free State Justice Campaign that was the predecessor to Equality Maryland. She was also the first open lesbian to serve on a number of Montgomery County boards including the Human Rights Commission, the Police Chiefs Advisory Council, the Partnership Board for Victims of Hate/Violence, and the ACLU. In 2001 she was in the first group of county residents to be inducted into the Human Rights Hall of Fame.
Rev. Bonnie J. Berger (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Virginia
Va. LG opposed marriage equality affirmation bill in handwritten note
Winsome Earle-Sears constitutionally required to sign HB 174 as Senate president
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears last year in a handwritten note indicated her opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples when she signed a bill that affirmed marriage equality in the state.
Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope on May 1 published Earle-Sears’s note on House Bill 174, which state Del. Rozia Henson, a Prince William County Democrat who is gay, introduced.
The Virginia Senate passed HB 174 by a 22-17 vote margin, and the state constitution required Earle-Sears to sign it as the chamber’s president. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the measure into law after it received bipartisan support.
“As the lieutenant governor, I recognize and respect my constitutional obligation to adhere to procedures set out in the constitution of Virginia,” wrote Earle-Sears in her note. “However, I remain morally opposed to the content of HB 174 as passed by the General Assembly.”
Earle-Sears, a former U.S. Marine who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-2004, in 2021 became the first woman elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor. Activists have criticized her for her opposition to LGBTQ rights in Virginia.
She sparked controversy last year when she misgendered state Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who is transgender, on the Senate floor. Earle-Sears has also spoken at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Earle-Sears is running to succeed Youngkin as governor once his term ends in January 2026. She will likely face former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who previously represented Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
John Reid, a conservative talk show host who is openly gay, last month secured the Republican nomination to succeed Earle-Sears as lieutenant governor. Youngkin has called for Reid to end his campaign amid reports that he posted “pornographic content” on social media.
Reid has strongly denied the reports.
World Pride 2025
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours
D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.
In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.
Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.
According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.
The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.
Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.
At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.
It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.
Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
World Pride 2025
Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference
Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.
Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)
A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.
The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.
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